Alabama didn’t suit up for a real game Saturday—but it sure felt like a glimpse into the future. Well, the Tide turned up the intensity in their three-man quarterback battle, giving fans a firsthand look at what’s brewing under center. Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, and Austin Mack each got their shot, slinging it during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 action. As of now, all three are gunning to replace Jalen Milroe and lead Bama’s next chapter. But don’t expect a decision just yet—this race is rolling right into August 30, when the Tide kicks off against FSU.
Kalen DeBoer made it clear on Thursday—Alabama is searching for a game-changer at QB. “We want that playmaker. I don’t want just a game manager out there. If we’re gonna win at the level we want to win at, we want a guy that’s gonna produce,” emphasized DeBoer. But he gave credit to all 3 QBs for their leadership. “He [Ty Simpson] does a great job really taking advantage of knowing the guys that are on the team, helping them,” said DeBoer. And then, “Keelon does it with his presence,” however, Mack “has gained a lot of confidence being a leader as well,” per DeBoer. While all 3 impressed, Simpson seemed to shine the brightest, consistently completing throws and connecting with WR Derek Meadows in a solid 11-on-11 play. On top of that, stepping up in the pocket under pressure, Simpson showed off his composure, firing a sharp pass over the middle.
And following that, on the April 14th episode of Locked On Bama, Alabama reporter Jimmy Stein delivered a bold verdict on Ty Simpson’s QB status. When host Luke Robinson asked if Simpson was the clear front-runner, Stein didn’t hesitate. “He has to be,” stated the Bama reporter. Then he doubled down, stating, “I don’t think any reasonable person that watched—just A-Day—let’s say you watched nothing else all spring or read nothing else but just watched A-Day—it’s completely clear that Ty Simpson is out in front.” Moreover, Stein added, “And not only that he’s out in front—he should be out in front based on the way the players performed, particularly when you factor in who they’re going up against.” So, it’s clear—Simpson is leading the charge.
And why not? Ty Simpson may be Alabama’s most experienced QB, having seen action in 15 games for the Tide. But A-Day showed that Russell has serious potential. The 2025 recruit, ranked No. 2 by 247Sports, flashed his immense talent, despite a rough start with an interception to safety Ivan Taylor on his first pass. Russell bounced back, though, throwing a stunning TD to WR Rico Scott and another score to Derek Meadows in a 1-on-1 play. And after that spring performance, Jimmy Stein weighed in, stating “I mean, Keelon Russell didn’t have a great day, and he was going up against, you know, mostly backup players. Although he did flash his immense talent. Ty Simpson had a really solid day, and he was going up against good players.” To be honest, while Simpson showed consistency, Russell’s flashes prove there’s a lot to look forward to.
Jimmy summed it up perfectly, stating, “If yesterday was the dress rehearsal, because Alabama was playing a game next week, and you put a panel of experts in the crowd, it would be unanimous who the starting quarterback should be….It’s Ty simpson’s job right now.” Simpson’s job is locked in for now, and his performance on A-Day has made it abundantly obvious: he’s the front-runner.
But here’s the twist—the season isn’t next week. That means there’s plenty of time for Keelon Russell to level up. And if he can sharpen his skills, Russell’s rise might just clear up Kalen DeBoer’s QB dilemma. While the door’s wide open, Russell has the chance to seize it.
Alabama’s QB race is on fire
Keelon Russell’s growth is just beginning. “With his age, Keelon’s the one who’ll improve the most over the summer and into the fall,” said Jimmy Stein. As a first-year guy, his ascent will be steep. But once he settles into the offense, expect him to skyrocket. So, the future’s bright for Russell. On the other hand, Ty’s in year four, and his growth is steady. “He’ll improve incrementally,” stated Stein. It’s rare for a fourth-year guy to suddenly transform, but Ty’s consistency will pay off.
However, Austin Mack is still finding his stride. He’s somewhere in between, learning the ropes and adjusting to the speed of the game. In front of the Bryant-Denny crowd, Mack had some rough moments. He threw interceptions to DB Zabien Brown and LB Abduall Sanders Jr. during 11-on-11 and 7-on-7 plays. “Austin struggled a little bit,” said Stein. “I think the game moves a little fast for him right now, which is the most common problem young quarterbacks have. I mean, Ty Simpson had that issue as well when he first got there.”
Alabama’s quarterback dilemma seems to be clearing up. Jimmy Stein’s confidence in the group is clear. “I feel like Alabama is in real good hands,” he said. Let’s be real; while Keelon Russell is still adjusting to the speed of the game, he’s making strides. And as for Ty Simpson, Jimmy’s optimistic. “Not only will Ty Simpson be good—I think he’ll be better than good.” With his steady growth, Alabama is set to put a solid SEC QB on the field this fall. Honestly, it’s all about minimizing mistakes—and Ty’s poised to make plenty of plays.
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